Stability drew Arthur Moats to Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Arthur Moats wanted stability after dealing with a revolving door at defensive coordinator in Buffalo. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed depth at both inside and outside linebacker, and they also wanted to get younger on defense.

Moats

Hence, the match that looks like it will be a pretty good one for each side.

The Steelers signed Moats to a one-year, $795,000 contract last week and he said on Thursday that playing both inside and outside linebacker won’t be a problem for him after doing the same in Buffalo.

“I’ll definitely have to get adjusted to the terminology,” Moats said on 970 ESPN in Pittsburgh. “But I feel like I’m a guy who dedicates himself to the game, dedicates himself mentally as well as physically.”

Moats started 12 of 16 games last season for the Bills, and the Steelers will initially play him at outside linebacker where they badly needed depth prior to his signing. The 6-2, 250-pounder will really add value if he can indeed play outside and inside, and the Steelers are also counting on Moats to contribute on special teams.

Moats, who recorded 54 tackles last season, is only 26 and he said he had an opportunity to stay in Buffalo. But with Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine taking the head coaching job in Cleveland, Moats said the prospect of playing for an organization that is synonymous with stability led to his signing with the Steelers.

“I’ve had three defensive coordinators (in Buffalo) and this would have been my fourth one, two different head coaches and two different general managers,” said Moats, a sixth-round draft pick by the Bills in 2010, “so I was looking for stability and I wanted to go somewhere where they were already proven and had that type of success already.”